Need help with speaker selection

[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

Well its like this, I went to a local JL dealer and the salesman pretty much told me that every other brand *****. Even when I asked why I should buy the JL's over the Bostons all he said is that they **** and that JL's were the best. He was pushing the ZR's on me so hard that it completely turned me off to JL's component speakers. So when a salesman throws a pitch my way I take it with a grain of salt. The CDT's do look like a quality product but I'd rather get an unbiased opinion.
The Bostons seem like a safe bet. I just wish that they had some 6x9's that were on par with the PRO's but it looks like I have to step down to the SR series for the 6x9's if i go for the PRO's. Would there be a noticeable difference in sound quality between the 2.

JL speakers are decent, and I agree sometimes the "JL trumps all" attitude turns ppl away from it...but it really is solid equipment, but best to hear it b4 u buy as JL speakers are too "laid back" for some ppl....

On the Bostons, Side by side, yes....but with the SRs in rear it'll be fine. The SRs sound sick as well so don't think it won't sound good....you could even do SCs if u like to save some cash....

 

[splwj47 10+ year member]

the cdts are real nice, i love mine. i would also like to try out some hats myself tho to, i wouldnt run rear speakers and spend the extra cash on more high end compenents for the front or on your amp.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

Well its like this, I went to a local JL dealer and the salesman pretty much told me that every other brand *****. Even when I asked why I should buy the JL's over the Bostons all he said is that they **** and that JL's were the best. He was pushing the ZR's on me so hard that it completely turned me off to JL's component speakers. So when a salesman throws a pitch my way I take it with a grain of salt. The CDT's do look like a quality product but I'd rather get an unbiased opinion.
The Bostons seem like a safe bet. I just wish that they had some 6x9's that were on par with the PRO's but it looks like I have to step down to the SR series for the 6x9's if i go for the PRO's. Would there be a noticeable difference in sound quality between the 2.

if you compare the jl specs, and infinity specs.. infinity come out on top..lol alpine r are good too,cdt,even jbl.and polk..ive never liked jl speakers or subs.. but theyre amp can be impressive,along with expense

 

[reapers]

The more I research the HAT's the more I want to give them a try. I like the fact they have silk dome tweeters. I might go with the Clarus and wait to replace my 6x9's at a later date. Would the Clarus fit in my car? I was told that I have 3 inches of depth in my door. That is exactly the depth of the Clarus. I know the Boston's would fit, there like 2.78 inches or something like that.

 

[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

The more I research the HAT's the more I want to give them a try. I like the fact they have silk dome tweeters. I might go with the Clarus and wait to replace my 6x9's at a later date. Would the Clarus fit in my car? I was told that I have 3 inches of depth in my door. That is exactly the depth of the Clarus. I know the Boston's would fit, there like 2.78 inches or something like that.

In most cases, you can make them fit. The last mids I had in my tC were over 3" deep and I remember reading somewhere that 2.75 was as deep as was recommended....I just made a wooden baffle for it and it fit perfectly with zero issues. That wooden baffle will improve the quality of the speakers anyway.

I think dropping the rears and going with the HAT Clarus would be a nice idea. A lot of people don't run rears or leave rears stock for SQ purposes and it works for some. I think you should run the Clarus up front with a strong 2 channel amp and see how things sound to you....If u feel like u need more, then work on the rears. Its personal preference when it comes to rear speakers...I like them, some don't...one thing is for sure, SQ competitors have been able to win with and without rear speakers. Not to mention the Clarus should be a step up from the Boston PROs, SQ-wise.

 

[reapers]

I think I'm going to that. Don't you think I should go with a 4 Channel? That way if I ever do decide to get the back speakers done, I can just hook them up instead of having to buy a new amp. What kind of amp would you suggest?

 

[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

I think I'm going to that. Don't you think I should go with a 4 Channel? That way if I ever do decide to get the back speakers done, I can just hook them up instead of having to buy a new amp. What kind of amp would you suggest?

I like 2 channels for the simple fact that u can get more power for the same price or usually less, but yes this does make amping the rears an issue...What can be done is to:

A) run a 2 channel for the fronts (and i recommend this: Boston Acoustics GT-2200 (gt2200) GT Reference 2-Channel Amplifier hands down) and run rears on HU power later

B) 2 channel on fronts, and a smaller 2 channel for rears....

generally you want most of your sound to come from in front of you and the rear fill ...is just that ... rear fill. It should be used to create an ambient effect and at very least should be attenuated in relation to the fronts, but that can be personal preference as well....

If you really want to do a 4 channel....I vote Boston GT4100 or Alpine PDX F6, if your budget allows....there may be other options out there for 4 channels but I tend to only recommend products I've used or at least know a reasonable bit about...plus, I'm pretty picky with my amps...

 

[reapers]

Cool thanks for all your help. You might hear from me again in the installation part of this forum lol. Another question I have is where to get Dyno Mat at a good price?

 

[MisterDeadeye 10+ year member]

Cool thanks for all your help. You might hear from me again in the installation part of this forum lol. Another question I have is where to get Dyno Mat at a good price?

Yes, nowhere. Look at Audio Technix(there's a vendor here: @cthedinger ).

Sorry, I forgot to explain why. Dynamat is way overpriced. It's not as good as Audio Technix(and other layering damper).

 

[daboyfrumdabx 10+ year member]

Cool thanks for all your help. You might hear from me again in the installation part of this forum lol. Another question I have is where to get Dyno Mat at a good price?

Dynamat is expensive everywhere you look. I'd suggest looking into alternatives such as Sound Deadener Showdown and Audio Technix. Much more reasonably priced alternatives.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

Well its like this, I went to a local JL dealer and the salesman pretty much told me that every other brand *****. Even when I asked why I should buy the JL's over the Bostons all he said is that they **** and that JL's were the best. He was pushing the ZR's on me so hard that it completely turned me off to JL's component speakers. So when a salesman throws a pitch my way I take it with a grain of salt. The CDT's do look like a quality product but I'd rather get an unbiased opinion.

This kind of feedback is helpful. Thank you.

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

I have Jeep's tweeters, i've built custom pods for them. we wanted to start with spheres but you cannot do that with the ES-010.

my unbiased opinion on them: not impressed with physical construction.

The grills are 1-3/4" in diameter, much larger than the actual ~1" tweeter. This makes mounting cumbersome and spheres impossible. In general, this reduces available mounting options and makes stealth installs very difficult.

The tweeter is actually two pieces, held together with very fragile plastic clips. they bill them as "quick removable" but you will break the clips attempting to do this (unless you heat the plastic first, which will likely deform it)

Mounting hardware is minimal and the angle mounts are just silly. not very useful. Custom mounting is tricky.

The wiring terminals are held with two small plastic clips. but the plastic is so cheap, it melts almost instantly when soldering to it (

I am quite disappointed with their construction.

having worked with HAT speakers before, i am very impressed with their build quality and their physical construction. and the price is very reasonable for what you get - and they sound great.

i'm not saying that all CDT products are cheap since I have not worked with them extensively. this is a review of a single product i have been fabricating a custom mount for.